TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 4: Three youths were shot dead and five others injured when the gunman of a stage drama company opened fire on the audience late Friday night at Kamalia, some 28kms away from here.

The youths were hooting the women artistes at a drama being staged at the New Palace Cinema, Kamalia. The situation got aggravated when some youths sprayed perfume on the body of a dancer. However, gunman Muhammad Siddique warned that he would open fire on them if they repeated the act.

Taking his threat lightly, the youths again threw the spray after which the gunman opened fire on them, killing Rafi, Nadeem Anwar and Nadeem Imam and injuring five others. One of the injured persons, Hussain, was shifted to Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, in critical condition. The gunman made good his escape after the incident.